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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Lord Of The Rings, The: The Return Of The King
2003 / Special Extended DVD Edition
Genre: Fantasy Adventure

Reviewed In Issue 93 (Feb 2005) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Bernard Hill, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Karl Urban, John Noble, Andy Serkis, Ian Holm & Sean Bean

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 4.5
DD Sound Rating: 5
DTS Sound Rating: 5+
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 4.5
Internet Links
http://www.lordoftherings.net
http://www.newline.com
Special Features
The final appendices for the trilogy is packaged in a fold-out four-disc DVD set. Some special offers and an insert booklet are included in the packaging. The menus are formatted in a way that is identical to the previous Extended Editions. Disc One and Disc Two include four audio commentary tracks: the first with director Peter Jackson and writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens; the second with design team members Grant Major, Ngila Dickson, Richard Taylor, Alan Lee, John Howe, Dan Hennah, Chris Hennah, and Tania Rodger; a third with production/post-production team members Barrie M. Osborne, Mark Ordesky, Jamie Selkirk, Annie Collins, Rick Porras, Howard Shore, Jim Rygiel, Ethan Van Der Ryn, Mike Hopkins, Christian Rivers, Alex Funke; Joe Letteri, Randy Cook, and Brian Van


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): New Line Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): N6932
(MPAA Rating): PG13
(Rating Reason):

(Retail Price): $39.95
(DVD Type): Four-Disc Set: DVD-9
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 223
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2003
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 12/14/04
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Peter Jackson
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  DVD Picture Information

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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Finishing what "The Fellowship Of The Rings" and "The Two Towers" started, "The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King" finalizes the epic tale of a hobbit

DVD Picture:
With the movie being spread across two discs, the anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 DVD picture is a satisfying visual experience that is slightly more refined when compared to the previously released theatrical edition. The majority of the film takes place in territories near the fiery realm of Mordor, so ashy grays and cold, dreadful blues are utilized to enhance the tone and heighten the tension of the overwhelming evil. Blacks are occasionally grayish and milky. Where there were problems with shimmering details on the previous release, the picture is more solid and clean on the Extended Edition. Edge enhancement and pixelization are also noticed at times, but neither are terribly obtrusive. This version is definitely the definitive edition, both content-wise and visually. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby

This Disc Contains The Following WSR-Rated Superb Qualities:
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